Christmas is the perfect time to dream, share, and create unforgettable memories. With 2025 just around the corner, it’s time to wrap up the year with joy and prepare for a new beginning full of hope. Whether you prefer the sparkle of Christmas lights, the serenity of snowy landscapes, or the warmth of the beach, there’s a destination to match every style of celebration. In this guide, we offer magical ideas for exploring Galicia and other charming corners of Spain during the festive season.
Christmas Plans and Destinations
From the dazzling Christmas lights of Vigo to the winter charm of O Cebreiro, the artistic wonder of the Oma Forest, or the sunny beaches of the Canary Islands, you’ll find plenty of options for an unforgettable holiday season. And why not consider the Camino de Santiago? Join us and get inspired!
The Christmas Lights of Vigo
Vigo’s Christmas lights have become one of the most iconic and spectacular displays in Spain—and even internationally! After all, who hasn’t heard of Vigo’s breathtaking Christmas lights? Their grand lighting ceremony is one of the city’s biggest attractions, drawing in crowds of visitors every year.
We’re certain that a stroll through Vigo, surrounded by its lights and colors, will transport you to a magical world filled with festive cheer and holiday spirit.
Vigo’s Christmas lights are a major tourist attraction during the holiday season
The Oma Forest
The Oma Forest is one of the most fascinating creations by renowned Basque artist Agustín Ibarrola. This forest is part of a large-scale artwork, or “natural art installation,” where the artist painted numerous trees that visitors encounter along the path. It falls under the artistic style known as land art. The forest stands out for its vibrant colors and shapes, designed to offer viewers countless visual effects and illusions that shift depending on their perspective.
The first paintings were created in 1982. The forest is also known as the “Painted Forest” or Baso Margotua in Basque. Located in Vizcaya, within the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, walking through its trails feels like stepping into a fairytale.
The Oma Forest blends nature and art
O Cebreiro
This village is a timeless gem along the French Way of the Camino de Santiago. During winter, it transforms into a picturesque snow-covered haven, evoking those cozy feelings of sitting inside one of its charming buildings, warming up by the fire with a steaming cup of tea or coffee, while watching the snow gently fall outside. Without a doubt, O Cebreiro offers idyllic winter scenes every year. It’s a perfect destination for families, as children will absolutely love playing in the snow. Have you ever seen its famous snow-covered pallozas?
O Cebreiro during Christmas and winter offers breathtaking postcard-worthy scenes
Canary Islands
Who wouldn’t love a beach getaway at Christmas? If you have a few days off for a short vacation, there’s no better destination than the warm and sunny Canary Islands. Beyond their stunning natural heritage, which is worth exploring on every island, you can also enjoy beachside relaxation and festive holiday activities in their vibrant cities.
Christmas at the beach? Why not? In the Canary Islands, it’s absolutely possible
Other Plans
Whether you come to Galicia to walk the Camino de Santiago at Christmas or simply as a tourist, you’ll find magical holiday experiences that blend culture and tradition. Highlights include various nativity scenes, such as those in Valga, Ferrol, and Begonte. Galician cuisine also takes center stage, featuring dishes like Villalba capon and cod with cauliflower. Other traditions include panxoliñas (Christmas carols) and the tizón de Navidad—a burning log symbolizing the transition to the new year. Walking the Camino de Santiago in winter offers a truly unique way to experience these cherished traditions.
Wherever you go, you can always visit nativity scenes
We hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones, no matter what plans you choose. As for us, we’ll be setting off on one of the Jacobean routes and making the most of the experience. Enjoy those festive gatherings with polvorones, turrones, and mantecados from Estepa!
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